Airship.



R. M. DUNGA N.

AIRSHIP. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1909.

1,012,529. I Patented De c.19,1911

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JEWAA R. M. DUNGAN.

AIRSHIP. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 1909.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

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AIRSHIP. 4 APPLICATION FILED NOV; 23, 1909.

Patented Dec. 19; 1911.

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Z 71 0011, d/ x UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT M. DUNGAN, or SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA.

, AIRSZHIP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Application filed November 23, 1909. Serial lilo. 529,539.

To all whom-time concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT M. Duncan,

. of the town of Santa Ana, county of Orange,

State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Airships,

of which the following isa specification.

My invention pertains to airships, and it has special reference to the aeronef typein i which I combineboth. the aeroplane and helicopter forms for raising and for translating purposes.

In my invention I employ the single plane, in which'I use a plurality of propellers or lifting'wheels so arran edthat theymay be inclined atany suitab e angles in-order: to utilizethem for lifting purposes flight,'while the propelling rudder operates' through an arc'of (JO-degrees,- tlius enabling me to control the flight of the aeroplane under all conditions. In practice I prefer to have four propellers or lifting wheels located substantiallyequidistant from each other, with the propelling rudder at the rear end,'. and these several propellers are connected up with the power shaft in such a manner that they may be operated in-u'ni son, or independently of each other, and as their planes of; rotation are also independently adjustable, I am able to control the lateral as well as the fore and aft stability of the aeroplane when in vertical or in horizontal motion.

' As it is well known that an aeroplane when in-ho'rizontal translation changes" the center of pressure fore and aft, I have de: vised-a siinplea-nd effective means to counteract this. .The four propellers, which also serve as lifting wheels, are mounted within circular openings formed through the aeroplane. The rear edges of the two forward openingsare turned upwardly and project forwardly, the angle of the hooded structure thus formed being approximately 18 degrees above the horizontal, so that when in flight a certain quantity of air is forced down through the openings, this pressure and volume being varied by the speed of the ship, and as theimpinging surfaces thus formed are forward ofthe middle section of the aeroplane and are constant in their action, whatever the speed may be, the tendency is to neutralizethe changing center of pressure, all of which will now be set forth in detail.

In the'drawing, Fi re 1 is a top or plan view of my improve side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on line 3' of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the propelling rudder and connections. Fig. 5 is a side view, enlarged, of one of the airship. Fig. 2 is a combined propellers and lifting wheels, showing by dotted lines the scope of its movement. Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the lifting wheel, showing method of swinging the shaft of the propeller. Fig. 7

is a horizontal section of the tubular bow for swinging the propeller, and the connect-- ing end of the shaft. Fig. 8 is a cross section of the tubular bow. Fig; 9 is a longitudinalsection of'the head and thrust block for the propeller shaft; and Fig. 10 -jsa top view of the thrust block.

' In constructin myinvention I provide an aeroplane sur ca 11, which is preferably made oval-shaped, and its length is, ap-

proximately, twice its width. This is so formed that the body centrally is-slightly dome-shaped, or made in the form of a shallow inverted dish.- The rear 'end has a circular cutaway portion 12, to'receive the propelling rudder 13. This rudder is mounted on a horizontally-disposed shaft 14, (Fig. 4), which shaft passes through a hollow pulley 15, this pulley being connected to the shaft in sucha manner that while it turns the shaft, the latter may be swung at any desiredangle. For this pur ose I slot the shaft, as shown at 16,'and p ace a-pair of pins 17 through these slots at right angles to each other, the ends .of the pins being secured in the pulley. The hub 18 of the pulley rests in a' journal bearing-19, which is secured by the base 20 to the aeroplane body 11, andthe end of the shaft 14 has an operating liandle- 21. The arms of the handles are adapted to turn on the shaft as shown at .23, thus providing means] to throw the propelling-rudder to any desired angle without. interfering witlrthe rotation of the shaft. Power-is imparted to the shaft by a suitable belt on the pulley.

M The aeroplane .may be made in anysuit- "able manner, preferabl of steel tubing, with fabric covering, or in any other manner best adapted for the. purpose. Centrally is a housing formed of the base portion 24 which extends below the aeroplane body, and the roof portion 25"which extends above the aeroplane. This housing "is about .two-, thirds the lengthof the aeroplane, and is aboutlone-third the width of the aeroplane at its Widest part. 7 merge into the aeroplane- Within this hous ing-I locate the machinery-and the fuel, and it also serves as a shelter for the occupants of the ship, and "for other purposes, and it. is 'my design to p'rovide the housing wi th suitable, doors, Windows, and other openings,

(not shown), as may be desirable and convenient for operating the ship. I As shown in the present instance, I provide four circular openings 27, 28, through v the aeroplane, in. which the propellers or lifting wheels are Tm unted. The two for- 1 ard openings 27 call has its rear edge turned upwardly at an angle forming a. hood I 2 this hood being thus above the aeroplane surface and adapted to gathera quantity of air, while the aeroplane is flight, ,from the upper surface of the aeroplane', and transfer it below the aerOpIaneQ-and cause it p to impinge against the rear propeller.

shaft 31.

Each of the propellers 30 is mounted on a I In this case I show a four-bladed \propeller, but it is obvious that any form may be used. The rear end, of the shaft 31 has a head 32 which turns and is held within a thrust block 33. This thrust block is preferably made of two parts bolted to- .gether at 34, and the rear end of the block is hinged on a transverse rod or bar 35 which extends across the" opening 27, or 28. Adjoining the thrust block the shaft has a pulley 36. The outer or forward end of the shaft is journaled in a sliding block 87, which blockis placed loosely on tubular how 38. This how forms an arc fore and aft over the "opening,- and being concentric with the transverse rod 35 the block 37, in sliding along-said bar, will carry with it the end of the propellershaft, and thus change the plane of rotation of the propeller. To

provide a means for so swinging the shaft the how 38 has a slot 39 on its upper side,

The ends ofthis housing j pair of arms 53,.which extend to a point 8 tailed in a s'dbsequent application.

I. a horizontal plane.

ahd the sliding; block 37 "has atongueAO I which projects down into the slot To this]; tongue I attach apair of cords, or, preferably, flexible wires 41 42 which extend in opposite directidns down to the base the'bow, where they emerge and pass around grooved pulleys 43 514, secured to the aeroplane, ese operhting wires extending thence --to .the housingy-(not shown), so-they may be within reach of the aviator.

) It will be noted that within the superstructure in thecenti al part of the aeroplane, is a cross shaft 46, on; which are mounted two pulleys 4'1. To this shaft I connect the en ine 48. In line, fore and aft, with' these phlleys 47, are pulleys 49 50, i

the former 'of which serves to direct thebelts 51 to'the pulleys 6, while the "latter 50 direct the belts 52 to t pulleys 36 onthe ,rear propellers.

Projecting back from the housing 25 is 1 above the pulley15, these arms being rigidly held by standards 5,4 Pu11e s55 are our;

, naled between these arms-so as to divert the belt 56 to the pulley 15 on the shaft- 0f the propelling rudder. are connectedup witha central source of power, the full details of which will be do The operation is as follows: I prefer to Thus all the propellers a) have the ship mounted on wheels, as shown, 9

for ease in transporting to the laTc'hing plzgzeg. and also in order to keep the aero-" plane a sufiicient distance above theground to clear the housmg. -VVhcn ready to ascend the shafts of the propelling or life it!) ing wheels are turned so that they are ver tical, thus causing the wheels to rotate on The action of lifting wheels under these conditionsissuch as to raise the entire structure, and when thus freed from the earth the propellers may be inclined forwardly and the propelling-rudder also set yin motion, If at the same time the forward lifting wheels are accelerated so as to slightly raise the forward end the action of the propelling rudder in directing the ship forwardly, will at once cause a pressure on the lower side of the aeroplane sutficient with the increase in s e ed,'fina'lly, to float the same, when 'thelifting-wheels maydse thrownfldown to act as propeller wheels, in which latter position they are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As now, in flight, the aeroplane has a low angle, a considerable quantityof air will be transferred from the upper to the lower side of the aeroplane through theaction of the hooded structure, and the amount thus transferred varies according to the speed,- the greater the speed the greater the pressure across the section' of thehood; By this means therefore,

since the center of pressure changes with great rapidity and when the angle of the plane is low, the corrective tendency is more efficient at times when itjis of most importance to the fore and aft stability of the moving structure.

It will be observed that the fork of the rear wheel 58 is provided with a vertical rudder 59, as an aid in turning, and the rudder further serves as a means for imparting lateral stability, particularly when sailing into a quartering wind. While the forward lifting wheels are designed to raise or lower either one side or the other and thus correct any lateral instability, it is obviousthat the use of the rear rudder will also have a powerful effect while at high speeds, and as the rudder is below the supporting surface the tendency in turnin the rudder will be to depress that side 0 the supporting surface which has the greaterangle of incidence, and thus correct the tilting action if itshould occur.

What I claim as new, is:

1. In an aeronef, a single-oval-shaped supporting plane, having four circular openings therein substantially equi-distant from the center, the real: edges of the forward openings projecting upwardly and f0rwardly to form hoods.

2. In an aeronef, a single plane having a plurality of openings and a propeller or lifting wheel in each opening adapted to swing on a vertical fore and aft plane and adjustable to any operative angle within ninety degrees at'the will of the operator,

I the forward openings having the rear edges projecting upwardly at an angle 'above the body of the plane.

3. In an aeronef, a single plane having a pair of openings fore and aft of the transverse middle line of said plane, a semi-.

circular cutaway portion in its rear end, and a propeller in each'opening and in the cutaway portion. 4. In an'aeronef, a single plane having a pair of openings fore and aft of the transverse middle line, a semicircular cut away portion in its rear end, an adjustable propeller or lifting wheel in each opening, and a propeller in said cutaway portion.

5. In an aeronef, a single oval-shaped plane having a pair of openings forward and also a pair of openings to the rear of the middle line,-the rear edges of the forward openings having upwardly-projecting,

and forwardly'projecting hoods to provide angles of incidence above, the plane, to receive air from the upper side of the aeroplane when in horizontal flight.

6. In an aeronef, a single supporting plane, having a dome-shaped curve fore and aft andlaterally, and provided with a plu rality of openings, each containing a propeller adapted to be adjusted to varying angles, on a vertical plane, and mounted so 'as to swing above the supporting surface,

and upwardly and forwardly-projecting hoods at the rear edges of the forward openmgs.

7 In an aeronef, a single plane having an upwardly or dome-shaped curve, and provided'with a plurality of openings, propellers in said openings, means to swing said propellers ona fore and aft vertical plane, for vertically and horizontally translating said plane, and an adjustable propelling rudder at the rear end of said plane, said plane having an extension which projects rearwardly on each side of the propelling rudder. a

'8. In an aeronef, 'a single dome-shaped supporting plane having a pair of openings forward of the center and a pair of openings near the rear end of the plane, the rear edges of the forward openings having forwardlv and upwardly-projecting hoodsy tb provi e angles of incidence greater than the body of the aeroplane.

9. In an aeronef, a single plane-having an upward or dome shaped curve, provided with a plurality of openings and a propeller or lifting wheel in each opening so mounted as to be adjustable to any angle within ninety degrees on a fore and aft plane, at the will of the operator, and normally swinging above the plane, and a hood projecting upwardly and forwardly at the rear end of the twoforward openings to receive the air impact from the propeller when the shaft of the propeller is horizontal.

'10. In an aeronef, a single plane having an upward or dome-shaped curve, provided with a air of openings fore and aft and a semi-circular cutaway portion in its rear end provided with a propeller in each opening and in the cutaway portion.

11. In an 'aeronef, a single plane having an upward or dome-shaped curve, provided with a pair of openings fore and aft, and a semicircular cutaway portion in its rear end, and a propeller or lifting wheel in each opening, and a propeller in said cutaway portion.

'12. In an aeronef, a single supporting plane, oval-shaped having an upward or dome-shaped curve, with our adjustable propellers therein mounted to swing above the plane, and centrally a housing which projects aboveand below said plane.

13'. In an aeronef, a single plane having centrally a longitudinal housing extending above and below said plane, a pair of openings at' the forward end of said housing and apair of openings at the rear end thereof, the rear edges of the forward pair of openings' having upwardly-projecting hoods,

said plane having a cutawayportion in its /rear end and adjustable propeller therein.

' 14. In an aeronef, a single plane having Centrally a longitudinal'housing extending above and below the plane, a pair of openings at the forward end of the housing and a pair of openings near the rear "end of the housin lifting wheels in said openings adjust'abeas to angle, on vertical fore and aft planes, and a propeller on the rear end i of the plane adjustable to swing vertically and horizontally.

. 15. In an aeronef, a single plane having centrally a longitudinal housing extending above and below said plane,- provided with a plurality of openings near each end of the housing and a propeller or lifting wheel in each opening so inounted as to be adjustable on a fore and aft vertical plane, to any an'gl 'ivithin ninety degrees, at the will of the operator, and an upwardly and forwardly projecting extension of the main plane behind each of the f rward propellers.

5 16. In an aeronef,a siggle plane having centrally a longitudinal housing extending above andybelow said plane, provided with four openings, two at the forward end and two at the read end of the housing, and a propeller in each opening, the rear end of said plane having a semicircular cut-away portion and an angularly-adjustable pro-' pell'e in said cutaway portion.

17. In an airship, a single plane having centrally a longitudinal housing extending above and below said plane, provided with a pair of openings at the forward end of the housing and a pair of openings at the rear end of said housing, a semi-circular cutaway, 40 portion in the rear end of the plane, and a propeller in each opening and in the cutaway portion, said propeller in the cutaway portion being adapted to swing horizon: tally and vertically, and the propellers in the circular openings being ada ted to swing on a vertical fore and aft pla e.

18. In an aeronef, a single plane having centrally a longitudinal housing extending above and below the plane, provided. with a pair of\ openings at the forward end of the housing and a pair of openings near the rear endthereof, the forward pair of openings having at their rear edges projecting hoods to provide angles of incidence greater than the body of the plane, a semicircular cutaway portion at the rear end of the plane, an adjustable propeller or lifting wheel in each opening, and a propelling rudder in the rear cutaway portion.

19. Inan aeronef, a single. oval-shaped plane, the body of which is slightly domeshaped fore and aft and laterally having centrally a longitudinal housing extending above and below the plane, a pair of openabove and below the plane, with adjustable propelling and lifting. means in, said plane mounted to swing above the plane, and power in said housing. v

20. In an aeronef, a single plane having an upward or donie-shaped curve, provided centrally with a longitudinal housing extending above and below the plane, four approximately equidistant openings in said plane, anda propeller in each opening, and means for swinging same on a vertical fore and aft plane.

2 1. In an aeronef, a single oval-shaped plane having an upward or dome-shaped curve, provided cent-rally with a longitudinal housing extending above and below said plane, a plurality of openings in said plane,

and adjustable propeller in each opening, and an adjustable propeller at the rear end of said, plane.

22. In an aeronef,- a singleroval-shaped plane, having an upward or dome-shaped curve, provided centrally with a fore and aft housing which extends above and below said plane, and a plurality of openings in said plane, a propeller inn each opening and means for swinging said propeller on a fore and aft vertical plane.

23. In an aeronef, a single oval-shaped plane having' an upward or dome'shaped curve, provided centrally with a longitudinal housing, a pair of openings at the forward end of the housing and a pair of openin s near the rear end thereof, the rear edges oft-he forward pair of openings liaying hoods which project above the ovalshaped plane, and a propeller at the rear' end of the plane adapted to change the angle or the direction of flight.

24. In an aeronef, a single plane having an upward or dome-shaped curve and provided centrally with a longitudinal housing extending above andbelow the plane, said plane being provided with a plurality of openings,a propeller in each opening, and an adjustable propeller on the rear end of said plane. Y

25. In an aeronef, a single plane having. an upward or dome-shaped curve, and cenirally a longitudinal 2 housing extending r ings fore and aft through the plane on each 11?; side of the housing, and a semicircular cutaway portion in its rear end provided with .a propeller, and a propeller in each opening.

26. In an aeronef, a single plane having an upward or dome-shaped curve, and a central longitudinal ho-using extending above and below the plane, a pair of openings fore and aft through the plane, a semi circular cutaway portion in its rear end an adjustable propeller or lifting wheel in each opening, and a propeller in said cutaway portion.

27. In'an aeronef, a single oval-shaped ceive air from the upper side of the aeroplane while in flight, and an adjustable pro peller at the rear end of the plane to change the angle or the direction of flight.

Signed this 16 day of October, 190.), in the presence of witnesses.

ROBERT M. DUNGAN. WVitnesses L. A. Wns'r, I'IORAflIO J. Foney. 

